Effective Charging by Multiple Contact Points

• US 20130076304A1
• Filed: 11/19/2012
• Published: 03/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Husqvarna AB (HUSQVARNA)
• Original Assignee: Husqvarna AB (HUSQVARNA)
• Inventors: Andersson, Gunnar, Pettersson, Patrick, Jgenstedt, Patrik, Hallin, Peter, Bjrn, Jonathan
• Granted Patent: US 9,419,453 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/008 for automated or remotely controlled operation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/16 Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

A charging coupling for connecting a robotic garden tool with a charging device may facilitate the charging of a battery of the robotic garden tool. The charging coupling may include a first charging contact and a second charging contact. The first charging contact may be a charging plate or a charging rod. The second charging contact may be provided with a row of resilient contact bars. The arrangement of the first charging contact and the second charging contact may be configured such that the resilient contact bars are pressed against the charging plate to provide multiple contact points.

Claims

1. A charging coupling for connecting a robotic garden tool to a charging device, comprising a first charging contact and a second charging contact,

wherein the second charging contact comprises a row of at least two resilient contact bars for providing multiple contact points between the first charging contact and the second charging contact.

2. A charging coupling according to claim 1, wherein the second charging contact comprises a row of at least three resilient contact bars.

3. A charging coupling according to claim 1, wherein the second charging contact comprises a base plate and wherein the row of resilient contact bars protrude away from the base plate.

4. A charging coupling according to claim 3, wherein the base plate in the second charging contact is attached to the charging device.

5. A charging coupling according to claim 1, wherein the first charging contact is a charging plate or a charging rod.

6. A charging coupling according to claim 1, wherein the first charging contact is mounted on the robotic garden tool and the second charging contact is mounted on the charging device.

7. A charging coupling according to claim 1, wherein the first charging contact is mounted on the charging device and the second charging contact is mounted on the robotic garden tool.

8. A charging coupling according to claim 1, wherein the charging coupling is adapted to provide transfer of electric current from the charging device, through the multiple contact points, to the robotic garden tool.

9. A charging coupling according to claim 1, wherein the at least two resilient contact bars are between 10-100 mm long.

10. A charging coupling according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least two resilient contact bars is between 3-20 mm wide.

11. A charging coupling according to claim 1, wherein the second charging contact has a thickness of between 0.5-5 mm.

12. A charging coupling according to claim 1, wherein the at least two resilient contact bars are adapted to spring between 0.5-5 mm when in connection with the first charging contact.